Longtime Imus In The Morning news anchor and sidekick Charles McCord officially hung up his headphones at the end of today’s show, bringing to an end one of the greatest and most enduring comedic partnerships in radio. During a final trademark “rant” on this morning’s WABC/New York-based Citadel Media syndicated program, McCord proved yet again why he’s been the perfect sidekick to the irascible Don Imus since the duo first paired-up on then WNBC/New York in the early 1970s. “Starting Monday [new Imus In The Morning newsman] Connell McShane will be getting the same crap that I’ve been putting up with here for the past 35 freakin’ years!” screamed McCord as the I-Man and his posse laughed out loud in the background. “I just want you to know that I’m sick of it, and I’m going to be damned glad to be headed down to Arkansas because I’m not going to have to sit here and stare at that freakin’ frame of yours! For God’s sake, eat something besides that voodoo food you eat now. You look like Phyllis Diller!” Hear the rest of McCord’s hilarious final rant, along with his farewell comments to his longtime radio partner, HERE.

Kudos to KABC/Los Angeles host Peter Tilden for spearheading last night’s (5/5) SoCal charity performance by legendary comedian Joan Rivers (pictured) to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Also appearing at the “Stand Up For The Troops” benefit, which was held at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, were comedians Frank Stallone and Brad Zimmerman. We’re happy to report the evening of comedy raised $30,000 for WWP, an organization that has evolved from its early days of providing comfort items to wounded warriors returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, to a complete rehabilitative effort to assist our wounded military men and women as they recover and transition back to civilian life. Find out more about the Wounded Warrior Foundation HERE.

Dial Global syndicated personality and WSB/Atlanta host Neal Boortz will join political pundit Ann Coulter and author Andrew Klavan tomorrow night (5/7) as a presenter at the Media Research Center’s 2011 “Dishonors Awards.” Created to celebrate “the most outrageously biased liberal reporting of the past year,” trophies will be handed out in a number of categories including: Damn Those Conservatives; The Obamagasm; Tea Party From Hell; I’m Not A Political Genius, But I Play One On TV; and Ode To Olbermann.” Obviously already in the spirit for this year’s gala Boortz (pictured) said, “The Media Research Center Gala Awards are one of my most enjoyable times of the year. Who wouldn’t love gigging the stupefying leftist media bias in the Obama Media from Washington DC, the very belly of the media beast.”

Earlier this week we reported on a recent feature published by the Daily Beast that ranked pursuit of a degree in Journalism as the “#1 most useless major” for U.S. college students. Commenting on the findings NPR Executive Producer/Newscasts and longtime network news exec Robert Garcia said, “I am one who does not think a Journalism degree means much. When hiring, I much prefer degrees in Political Science, Law, or Economics. I’ve always believed the best school for Journalism is the street and the deadline.” Offering an opposing view, SRNNews VP/Programming Tom Tradup says he thinks the Daily Beast’s article “does a jaw-dropping disservice to their literally dozens of readers by suggesting that future reporters will find a Journalism degree useless. Managers in the real media world rarely look at two potential newsroom employees and opt for the one with no Journalism degree.” Read more extended comments and debate on this issue from KNX-KFWB/Los Angeles News and Programming chief Andy Ludlum, ABC News Radio VP/GM Steve Jones and FOX News Radio VP Mitch Davis, only in today’s issue of NTS MediaOnline Weekly, HERE.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) — who hosted a statewide Talk show prior to his election to Congress — says he’ll run for Governor of the Hoosier State in 2012. In recent months Pence (pictured) has championed the Broadcaster Freedom Act, a bill that would prevent any attempts by Congress to restore the FCC’s long-repealed Fairness Doctrine … Comedian Jerry Seinfeld guests tonight at 6pm (ET) on Sirius XM’sCome To Papa, a special series hosted by Tom Papa on the satcaster’s Raw Dog Comedy channel … Congrats to Greater Media CEO Peter Smyth who will receive an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree when he speaks to the Suffolk University Sawyer Business School’s Class of 2011 on May 21st at Boston’s Westin Copley Hotel.

And finally on this Friday afternoon … Oh, to be in Louisville this weekend for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. As always, the crew at WHAS/Louisville is all over the local action and the mint julep-fueled fun of Derby weekend, as fans descend on historic Churchill Downs for the first jewel in thoroughbred racing’s annual Triple Crown. Get details on all the festivities at the Clear Channel News/Talker’s website HERE.